Rack for toilet articles



Nov. 5, 1968 M. M. BRIDGMAN 3,409,144

7 RACK FOR TOILET ARTICLES Filed Aug. 29, 1966 I2 INVENTORZ MAqq lE- M. Bl2\bC-]MAN ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,409,144 RACK FOR TOILET ARTICLES Maggie B. Bridgman, Rains, S.C. 29589 Filed Aug. 29, 1966 Ser. No. 575,758 3 Claims. (Cl. 211-65) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A rack for toilet articles comprising a wall supported base panel provided with sockets for supporting receptacles on its upper surface and toothbrush supporting openings along each panel side edge together with a front extension on the panel with upstanding parallel wall members for supporting combs.

This invention relates to racks and more particularly to a rack for supporting personal toilet articles of the type in common use.

In inhabited enclosures, dwellings, or the like where bathroom facilities are commonly provided such as residential dwellings, many personal articles such as combs, toothbrushes, water glasses, and the like are required to be made available for personal use. The large number and variety of such personal articles gives rise to the need for suitable storage facilities such as cabinets and the like in which a multitude of such articles are supported for ready access by the user. As is well known, it is not uncommon to provide a support rack for a specific toilet article such as a rack in which one or more toothbrushes may be positioned for ready access and having a relatively large capacity where the family is large.

While such present day cabinets generally provide adequate storage facilities, they are frequently jammed to capacity with many articles and such articles being usually characterized by a disorderly arrangement so as to re quire a search for each article to be used. On the other hand, while a rack or support for a single article exposes the article for ready access, it is impractical to provide a rack for each article used for personal grooming both from the standpoint of the space required as well as the expense involved. Consequently, the typical room where such personal grooming accessories are stored is characterized by a disorderly array of such articles in an unattractive manner which not only contributes to personal inconvenience when use of such accessories is required but creating the ever present possibility of attendant loss.

Accordingly, a primary object of this invention is to provide a new and novel rack for toilet articles.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and novel rack fortoilet articles which permits a plurality of toilet articles of the type most commonly employed in bathrooms to be conveniently supported for ready access by the user and in a secure manner to avoid breakage, loss, contamination and the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and novel rack for toilet articles of the type commonly stored in rooms of residential dwellings where personal grooming is accomplished which may be formed in a simple and inexpensive manner from readily available inexpensive materials such as plastic and the like and which may be readily supported in a minimum of space.

This invention further contemplates the provision of a new and novel rack for toilet articles which may be molded integrally from plastic material or the like, which provides a support for the basic personal grooming accessories commonly used by an individual and which permits these accessories to be removed easily therefrom and securely held therein so as to both facilitate rapid grooming and the elimination of any disorderly arrangement of such accessories whilepromoting sanitary condi- 3,409,144 Patented Nov. 5, 1 968 tions such as drainage and the like from the accessories after use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In general, the objects of this invention are accomplished by providing an elongated base panel having side edges, a rear edge and a front edge. Means are provided adjacent the panel rear edge for mounting the base panel on an associated wall in a substantially horizontal plane and at least one opening is provided on the base panel adjacent each of its side edges for supportingly accommodating the handle of a toothbrush. Means are also provided on the upper surface of the base panel for retaining at least one liquid receptacle supported on the base panel. A forwardly projecting extension is also provided on the base panel adjacent the base panel front edge and'is provided with suitable means on its upper surface for retaining at least one comb supported on the panel extension.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the rack of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevation view of the rack of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the rack of the invention with toilet articles supported thereon as shown in broken lines; and

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation view of the rack of FIGURE 1.

Referring now to the drawing and to FIGURE 3 in particular, the rack of the invention includes a base panel designated generally by the numeral 11 which may be formed from any suitable material such as plastic, ceramic, metal, or the like. Preferably the base panel 11 is formed from inexpensive plastic or ceramic material and may be formed in a one-piece or two-piece construction.

The base panel 11 has a rear edge 12, side edges 13, 14, and a front edge 16. The base panel 11 may be substantially flat between the side edges 13, 14, but in the preferred embodiment, it preferably comprises a plurality of sections identified by the numerals 11a, 11b, and 11c. The central section 11b is preferably elevated in spaced parallel relationship with respect to the outer side sections 11a, 110, these latter two sections being positioned in substantially co-planar relationship as shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the base panel 11 is formed of a one-piece construction, the elevated central section 11b being therefore provided with a side wall 19 formed integrally with and interconnecting the three base panel portions 11a, 11b and 110.

Means are provided adjacent the base panel rear edge 12 for mounting the base panel 11 on an associated wall (not shown) in a substantially horizontal plane. More specifically, the base panel central section 11b is provided with a rear wall 17 preferably formed integrally therewith as shown best in FIGURE 3. The wall 17 may be provided with any suitable means for mounting the base panel 11 on the associated wall and in the illustrated embodiment keyhole slots 18 are provided which receive the ends of screws (not shown) attached to the wall in suitably spaced relationship in the well known manner thereby permitting the rack to be hung from the vertical surface of the associated wall in a substantially horizontal plane.

At least one opening 20 is provided in the base panel 11 adjacent each of the side edges 13, 14 for supportingly accommodating the handle 21 of a toothbrush designated generally by the numeral 23 in FIGURE 3 having bristles 3 24 which supportedly engage the base panel 11 as shown. Preferably, at least three such openings 20 are provided in suitably spaced relationship adjacent each of the panel side edges 13, 14 thereby permitting a'total of six toothbrushes to be positioned on the rack of the invention in the manner shown with the toothbrush 23 in FIGURE 3.

Means are provided on the upper surface of the base panel 11 for retaining at least one liquid receptacle supported on the base panel. More specifically, a plurality of circumferentially arranged upstanding tabs 26 are provided on the upper surface of each of the base panel sections 11a, 11b and llceach group of tabs thereby defining a socket for accommodating in retaining engagement a receptacle such as a drinking glass 27 or any other receptacle commonly used in personal grooming such as hair tonic, shampoo, etc. The tabs 26 may be attached to the base panel 11 in any suitable manner but, in the preferred embodiment, are formed by partially severing portions of the base panel sections 11a, 11b and 110 whereby the partially severed portions or tabs 26 may be bent upwardly remaining integrally attached to the base panel 11 and leaving openings 28 through which liquids may drain.

In order to interconnect the upstanding tabs 26 and more securely retain the receptacle 27 within the sockets defined by the tabs 26, an annular member such as a plastic or meta-l ring 31 is secured in any suitable manner such as by an adhesvie, fusing or the like to the upper ends of each of the tabs 26 as shown. In this manner, both the tabs 26 and annular member 31 define the diameter of the three sockets provided on the base panel 11 for accommodating the receptacles 27 while cooperating together in a reinforcing manner to provide strong, durable sockets for the receptacle.

A forwardly projecting extension 32 is provided on the base panel 11 preferably formed integrally therewith adjacent the panel front edge 16. The panel extension 32 is provided with side edges 33, 34 and preferably extends in substantially the same plane as the base panel outer portions 11a, 11c. Means are provided on the panel extension 32 for retaining at least one comb 36 in a supported position thereon. More specifically, a plurality of wall members 37 are positioned on the upper surface of the panel extension 32 and are preferably formed integrally therewith.

As shown in FIGURES 3, 4, the wall members 37 are arranged in substantially parallel relationship to define recesses therebetween which accommodate the comb 36 in the position shown. Preferably, the wall members 37 are arranged in two sets each set being positioned adjacent the panel extension side edges 33, 34 with the corresponding wall members 37 in each set positioned in a longitudinally aligned relationship. Thus, the comb 36 is positively retained in the supported position on the panel extension 32 within one of the recesses defined by a pair of wall members 37 adjacent each of the panel extension side edges 33, 34.

Through the novel construction of the rack of the invention, only a minimum amount of space is required for installation which may be either within a bathroom ca'binet or exposed on a suitable wall in a room such as a bathroom in a residential dwelling. An outstanding feature of the invention is the neatness with which the personal grooming accessories or toilet articles may be stored for instant use with the attendant elimination of any disorderly distribution of the articles around the area. The rack of the invention permits the installation of a large number of toothbrushes such as is common to a large family in a neat readily accessible position at each end of the rack whereby contamination is prevented and drying is facilitated. The rack of the invention may be readily hung with the arrangement provided by the use of two inexpensive screws appropriately positioned on the associated wall so that the rack is held in a sturdy position being virtually impossible to dislodge by accidental contact. The plurality ofsockets for liquid receptacles provided on the rack permit a wide variety and large number of such receptacles to be accommodated such as drinking glasses, hair tonic bottles, shaving lotion containers and the like and the particular arrangement of the invention prevents the receptacles which are usually of glass from being knocked off the rack with the attendant dangerous and inconvenient debris resulting from such breakage. In addition, the use of integral tabs for these receptacle sockets simultaneously provided the drainage holes so that the accumulation of liquid common to racks in present day use is eliminated as the drainage from drinking glasses or overflow and spill from other receptacles readily drain downward through the rack into a basin or other catch device over which such a rack may be suitably positioned.

In addition to the storage facilities provided for receptacles and toothbrushes, the rack also provides'storage for one or more combs so that virtually all of the frequently used toilet articles are stored on the rack of the invention for quick use being maintained in a sanitary condition not possible with the present day practice of merely putting such combs, toothbrushes and the like on bathroom shelves, water closets, wash basins and the like. In addition, while storage for combs is provided, the novel comb storage means of the rack may also accommodate interchangeably relatively small toothpaste tubes which further extend the versatility of the rack of the invention.

Another outstanding feature of the invention is its simple construction 'and its ready adaptability to the use of various materials in a one-piece construction so that the rack of the invention may be sold for a relatively low price.

While there has been described what at present is considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention and therefore it is the aim of the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

' Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. An article rack comprising, in combination, an elongated base panel having side edges, a rear edge, and a front edge, means adjacent said panel rear edge for mounting said base panel on an associated wall in a substantially horizontal plane, at least one opening in said base panel adjacent each of said side edges for supportingly accommodating the handle of a toothbrush, means on the upper surface of said base panel and extending upwardly therefrom for retaining at least one liquid receptacle supported on said base panel, a forwardly projecting extens1on having side edges on said base panel adjacent said panel front edge, and comb retaining means on said panel extension, said comb retaining means include a plurality of planar wall members extending vertically upward from the upper surface of said panel extension and arranged in spaced parallel relationship for retaining at least one comb therebetween.

2. An article rack comprising, in combination, an elongated base panel having side edges, a rear edge, and a front edge, means adjacent said panel rear edge for mounting said base panel on an associated wall in a substantially horizontal plane, at least one opening in said base panel adjacent each of said side edges for supportingly accommodating the handle of a toothbrush, means on the upper surface of said base panel for retaining at least one liquid receptacle supported on said base panel, said liquid receptacle retaining means including a plurality of circumferentially arranged upstanding tabs, an annular member secured to the upper ends of said tabs to the upper ends of said tabs forming a retaining socket for said liquid receptacle.

3. An article rack comprising, in combination, an elongated base panel having side edges, a rear edge, and a front edge, said base panel comprising a pair of outer sec-.

tions and a center section arranged in side-by-siderrelationship between said base panel side edges, said center section being positioned in an elevated, spaced parallel relationship with respect to said outer sections, a rear wall extending downwardly from said center section adjacent the rear edgeof said base panel, means adjacent said panel rear edge for mounting said base panel on as associated wall in a substantially horizontal plane, and mounting means including at least a pair of keyhole slots in said rear wall, at least three openings in said base panel adjacent each of said side edges for supportingly accommodating the handle of a toothbrush means on the upper surface of said base panel for retaining at least one liquid receptacle supported on said base panel, said liquid receptacle retaining means including a plurality of circumferentially arranged upstanding tabs formed integrally with said base panel on each of said sections, a retaining ring secured to the upper ends of said tabs on each of said sections to form a retaining socket for said liquid receptacle, each of said tabs comprising a partially severed portion of the associated base panel section to provide openings in said base panel in each of said retaining sockets, a forwardly projecting extension having side edges on said base panel adjacent said panel front edge, means on said panel extension for retaining at least one comb supported on said panel extension, said comb retaining means on said panel extension including a plurality of up standing wall members arranged adjacent each of said panel extension side edges, said plurality of upstanding wall members being arranged in substantially parallel relationship and in longitudinal alignment between the side edges of said panel extension to form a plurality of longitudinally extending recesses each arranged to accommodate a comb supported on said panel extension in retaining engagement therewith.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,055,488 3/1913 Paterson 211-87 2,010,734 8/1935 Parker 211- X 2,415,447 2/ 1947 Stanton 211- X 2,587,226 2/ 1952 Rodman 211-65 2,905,370 9/1959 Pavol 211-74 X 2,956,687 10/1960 Robichand 211-65 X FOREIGN PATENTS 149,052 11/ 1952 Australia.

CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS, Primary Examiner. 

